Dorner reward-claim process to be open until April 19

April 5, 2013

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

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Irvine mayor Dr. Steven Choi, left, speaks during a press conference as LAPD Chief Charlie Beck looks on after the announcement of a $1M reward for information leading to the capture of suspected killer Christopher Dorner. EUGENE GARCIA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Candy Martin (C) surveys the damage with family members and friends at her burned-out cabin where the remains of multiple murder suspect and former Los Angeles Police Department officer Christopher Dorner were found on February 15, 2013 in Big Bear, California. Dorner, a Navy Reserve veteran, barricaded himself in the cabin and engaged law enforcement officers in a shootout, killing one and wounding another. Dorner's body was identified after being found in the burned out cabin. KEVORK DJANSEZIAN, GETTY IMAGES

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A bullet-damaged Los Angeles Police vehicle is taped off by police on Thursday Feb. 7, 2013 in Corona, Calif. Christopher Dorner is suspected of the shooting of two LAPD officers who were sent to Corona to protect someone Dorner threatened in a rambling online manifesto. Thousands of police officers throughout Southern California and Nevada hunted Thursday for Dorner, a former Los Angeles officer who was angry over his firing and began a deadly shooting rampage that he warned in an online posting would target those on the force who wronged him. BRUCE CHAMBERS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Law enforcement authorities investigate the burnt-out cabin where accused quadruple-murder suspect Christopher Dorner was believed to have died after barricading himself inside, during a stand-off with police in the Angeles Oaks area of Big Bear in this Feb. 13 file photo. JOHN VALENZUELA, AP

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This undated file photo provided by the Los Angeles Police Department shows suspect Christopher Dorner, a former Los Angeles police officer. A law enforcement official tells The Associated Press, Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, that a charred body inside the ruins of a mountain cabin that went up in flames is believed to be that of Dorner, suspected in four killings. Other agencies say a body has yet to be found. UNCREDITED, AP

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A tow-truck operator peers into the burned out truck used by ex-LAPD officer, Christopher Dorner sits in the parking lot at Bear Mountain Resort in Big Bear. MICHAEL GOULDING., ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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The Riverside County Sheriff's Department has broadcast a general advisory stating fugitive murder suspect Christopher Jordan Dorner was possibly involved in a home-invasion robbery at 1274 Club View Road in Big Bear, pictured. This is the back where a screen was found under a downstairs window. A couple were tied up in their house, and the suspect fled in their 2008 white Dodge pickup truck with a back hitch, heading south on state Route 38, possibly toward Cherry Valley. A state Fish & Game ranger apparently fired on the vehicle, according to the sheriff's broadcast. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Officers block Highway 38 leading to Big Bear near where shooting suspect CHristpher Dorner is reported to be hiding in a cabin. EUGENE GARCIA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Members of the media listen to San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon during a press conference at the San Bernardino County Sheriff's headquarters Wednesday afternoon. KEVIN SULLIVAN, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Irvine mayor Dr. Steven Choi, left, speaks during a press conference as LAPD Chief Charlie Beck looks on after the announcement of a $1M reward for information leading to the capture of suspected killer Christopher Dorner. EUGENE GARCIA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Authorities have outlined an application process for the $1 million in reward money that was posted during the manhunt for Christopher Dorner, the former Los Angeles police officer believed to have killed an Irvine couple and two police officials before committing suicide in a standoff at a Big Bear cabin in February.

The $1 million reward, which includes $100,000 pledged from the city of Irvine, was announced in the midst of an unprecedented dragnet for the fugitive across Southern California but has become the center of debate after the manhunt ended in Dorner's death rather than his arrest.

Officials on Friday announced that the filing period for those seeking the reward money will last until April 19.

A panel of three retired U.S. District Court judges ultimately will recommend how the reward money should be distributed, if it is distributed at all.

The judges' recommendations will be announced publicly, officials said.

Irvine officials said they were in support of the newly announced reward process.

"The three-judge panel is a welcome idea. It is the right procedure that the judgment be made by a third, independent body, particularly by people who are conversant with the complicated nature of this topic," Irvine Mayor Steven Choi said in a written release.

At least one person – a man who was believed to be carjacked at gunpoint by Dorner shortly before Dorner's final standoff with authorities – has submitted a claim to the city of Irvine for its portion of the reward money. Others have publicly indicated that they are seeking the reward.

The Irvine City Council on March 12 voted to contribute the $100,000 to the reward fund – more than a month after the city's mayor appeared a news conference with Los Angeles and Riverside officials to announce the reward.

Some have wondered whether anyone will get the reward, since the manhunt ended in Dorner's death rather than his arrest and conviction. In the statement released Friday, authorities indicated that the process will determine "who should received the reward for information that led to the identification and apprehension" of Dorner.

Irvine police Chief David Maggard said the creation of the formal reward process and the judging committee was a "necessary and appropriate step."

"The attempt at trying to bring everyone together is an important effort that needs to be done carefully and thoughtfully," Maggard said.

Information on the reward process and claim forms are available on the LAPD website at lapdonline.org.

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